Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to completing the general requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy, prospective candidates must pass three preliminary comprehensive examinations, complete advanced courses in two fields, and demonstrate advanced knowledge in one field through a Second Year Summer Research Paper. The candidate is required to complete the comprehensive examinations at the end of the first year (in June). If a candidate fails any or all of these three “core” exams, the candidate must re-take any failed examinations in late August.

The Summer Paper is completed in the summer following the second year and must be submitted by the first day of classes of the third year.

A dissertation proposal should be presented to the faculty by the end of the third year. Students are expected to complete all pre-dissertation requirements, including required coursework, the core exams, the second-year summer paper, and the dissertation proposal, by the conclusion of their sixth term of study. The Ph.D. dissertation must be written, approved, and defended within seven years of matriculation into the program.

A detailed statement of departmental requirements for the Ph.D. may be obtained at http://economics.virginia.edu/graduate/phd.

While not offering a terminal master’s program, the Department does award a master’s degree to students as part of the Ph.D. sequence. A candidate must complete 30 credits of course work, including Microeconomic Theory I (ECON 7010), Macroeconomic Theory I (ECON 7020) and Econometrics (ECON 7710 or 7720), as well as pass the preliminary comprehensive examinations on core economic theory and econometrics. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation.

The Tipton R. Snavely Prize

The Tipton R. Snavely Prize of $3,000 is awarded annually to the student submitting the most meritorious dissertation for the Ph.D. degree in Economics.

In addition, a Snavely Prize of $3,000 is awarded annually to the most meritorious dissertation proposals. A Snavely Prize of $2,000 is awarded annually for the most outstanding summer research papers.

The Thomas Jefferson Center for Studies in Political Economy

The Thomas Jefferson Center for Studies in Political Economy, established in 1957, facilitates research efforts in the department of economics. Specific activities of the Center have included sponsoring visiting scholars and professors, sponsoring lectures and seminars, awarding fellowships, and publishing research results.

The Tipton R. Snavely Graduate Economics Library

The Tipton R. Snavely Graduate Economics Library is a collection of scholarly books and academic journals for use by graduate students.